Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2006

The Board denied service connection for bilateral upper extremity neuropathy due to Agent Orange exposure, finding that the condition is more likely related to carpal tunnel syndrome. Service connection was not granted for lower extremity neuropathy as there is no current evidence of such a disability.,Service connection for bilateral lower extremity neuropathy could not be established as there is no current clinical evidence of this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral arm condition, back injury, bilateral neuromas with peripheral neuropathy, deviated nasal septum, and residuals of a shrapnel wound of the left hand are not supported by the evidence. The preponderance of the evidence is against these claims.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities is not related to his military service or exposure to Agent Orange, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability and denied both the claim for service connection for cause of death and the claim for service-connected burial benefits.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, finding no competent medical evidence establishing a nexus between the condition and military service or exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board granted service connection for small-fiber neuropathic disease and CIDP, associated with the veteran's in-service exposure to herbicides. The claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. Service connection for PTSD was granted effective from February 1, 1996.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of both legs and for nonservice-connected pension benefits due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for bilateral lower extremity neuropathy that he believes resulted from a coronary artery bypass graft surgery in April 2002 at a VA facility. The Board has remanded the case to allow for further examination and opinion regarding whether any current lower extremity neuropathies are related to the surgery.

The veteran's bilateral residuals of traumatic optic neuropathy were initially rated at 50 percent from April 15, 1998, to January 17, 2006. The rating was increased to 70 percent effective March 30, 2006.,The veteran's bilateral residuals of traumatic optic neuropathy were rated at 70 percent since January 18, 2006.

The Board found no evidence of a current sleep disorder or peripheral neuropathy and denied the veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board has denied service connection for the veteran's claimed conditions, including right ulnar neuropathy at the elbow, cervical spine degenerative joint disease, vertigo, and transient diplopia, as these disorders are not shown to be related to his active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy and excoriating lesions are related to his service, specifically exposure to Agent Orange. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and service connection, finding that her bilateral plantar fasciitis did not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain and retain all kinds of substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted a rating of 20 percent for the veteran's right eye disability (traumatic optic neuropathy) since August 15, 2003.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including vision disability, sleep disability, neuropathy of the lower extremities, and tingling of the left hand. The reasons given were that there was no evidence of a current disability or a disease/injury in service that could be linked to these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and diabetic retinopathy. The claim for reopening of the diabetes mellitus was granted.

The veteran's claim for compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is being remanded due to the need for a medical opinion and proper VCAA notice.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy and there is no evidence linking it to service or Agent Orange exposure. As such, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD, sinus problems, headaches, irritable bowel syndrome and stomach problems, peripheral neuropathy, or skin disorder due to service. The evidence does not support his claims for these conditions.